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A new search is underway for traces of the missing Victorian mother Samantha Murphy, almost four months after she disappeared.
On Wednesday, police confirmed detectives from the missing persons squad were carrying out a targeted search of the Ballarat area as part of the investigation.
Exact details of the manhunt have not been released and members of the public are being asked to stay away.
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“Since February, police have regularly undertaken a range of small-scale inquiries and searches as part of the ongoing investigation,” police said.
“Samantha’s family has also been notified of the search.
“At this time, we are unable to provide additional specific details about today’s operational activity.”
Murphy was last seen leaving her home on Eureka St, Ballarat to go jogging in the Canadian National Forest on the morning of February 4.
In March, the police searched hard for the missing mother in the Buninyong area, but could not find any trace of her.
There have also been extensive searches of the Canadian National Forest and Enfield State Park over the past few months.
Police say 22-year-old Patrick Oren Stevenson killed Murphy in nearby Mount Clear on the day she disappeared.
The trader was arrested in early March, charged with murder, and is due back in court in August.
He is the son of former AFL player Oren Stevenson, who played 15 games for Geelong and Richmond between 2012 and 2014.
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